37 Things a Man's Gotta Do This Summer: The Great Outdoors

Nine solid reasons to get your keister outdoors this summer

By The Editors

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22 May 2017

This is just one installment of 37 Things a Man's Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September.

Another summer means street festivals, camping trips and other en plein air exploits. Which, for the most part, is why we live here.

Allow us to add a few more reasons, with the nine outdoor adventures every Bay Area resident should partake of this summer.

Bay Area Hang GlidingYou've undoubtedly seen them hundreds of times — now try it for yourself. Call them to set up a private lesson with friends; generally the progression will move students at their own pace from the "bunny hill" through to "learning to soar."

30th anniversary Lost Boys screeningSleep all day, party all night, never get old: The proto-Generation X rallying cry gets passed down to millenials with this 30th(!) anniversary screening of the 1987 classic. Kiefer, the Coreys, Jason Patric and Jami Gertz, the Demi Lovato of the ’80s: This is going to be a perfect night on the Santa Cruz boardwalk.

Sonoma Raceway and MotoAmericaThe perfect intersection of raceway with myriad wine tasting rooms, the Sonoma Raceway will host the two-day MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race Championship. Stay nearby overnight for an unhurried look at the superbikes — and don't miss the National Street Freestyle Championship for the freestyle crew.

Purple RainUndoubtedly the highlight of the outdoor film screening schedule this summer. Prepare for 112 minutes of songs you love, a plot you won't understand, and more ridiculousness from one of the true American geniuses.

West Bluff PicnicNothing says "I have prepared this picnic magnificently" than, in our opinion, Postmates delivering to your picnic bench: Sure, you can pack your own — but thanks, everybody's going to be happier with Delfina's, Smitten ice cream, and views of the Golden Gate.

With the kids ...

Muir Beach Firemen's Memorial Day BarbecueIt's the ultimate neighborhood event: local firefighters take turns on the grill while your kids can tear through a dedicated area till they pass out. The event's free; parking's $20 a car, and all proceeds go to support the town's all-volunteer team.

Beauty and the Beast on Mount TamIf you've gotta take your kids to see Belle et al — and if they're plugged into the Emma Watson version, you very well may have to — at least do it here, in the fresh air of Mount Tam, so you can sneak in a hike or two before the show.

Family Fun Dune ExplorationPart of the National Trails Day events, this hike will take your family across the Lanphere Dunes in the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The sand dunes incredibly weird and beautiful — and sufficiently north of the city that your family/the entirety of your Facebook feed hasn't already checked them out.

This is the first installment of 37 Things a Man's Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September.